Responding to the diverse needs of Jews and their families in Harford, Cecil and Baltimore Counties, and parts of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Temple Adas Shalom offers many opportunities for worship and spiritual growth. The Religious Practices Committee (RPC) assumes responsibility for promoting a religious atmosphere in the community and among the members.

Friday Evenings– Services are held every Friday evening beginning at 7:30 pm. Our prayer book is Mishkan T’filah, published by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Most Friday evenings include a Torah service, with Torah chanted by our Bal Korah or a lay leader. When Torah is not read Friday night, there will be a Torah service on Saturday morning.

A variety of “themed” services are held on Friday evenings throughout the year. Grade level services highlight prayers that specific grades have learned through the Religious School curriculum; periodic services are led by our Temple Youth Group; and, various other events and recognitions take place such as a Sisterhood Shabbat, Educator Shabbat, Confirmation Shabbat, Shabbat Across America, and others.

Services are led by Rabbi Gila Ruskin or one of our lay leaders. Music is led either by the Temple Adas Shalom Choir or one of several soloists. We are a “sing-along” congregation, where all congregants are invited to participate in all of the prayer-songs. Musical instrumentation, when present, is usually piano or guitar; however, we have utilized a wide variety of music for special occasions.

In 2012, we added three outdoor services during the summer. These are held on the Temple grounds, and congregants are asked to bring their own seating. The Oneg follows inside in the Social Hall.

Saturday Mornings– Saturday morning services are held twice a month and are led by the Rabbi or a lay leader of the congregation. Saturday services take on two formats. Services that include a Bar/Bat Mitzvah use the the Mishkan T’filah prayerbook, while the other is a more traditional service using the Sim Shalom prayerbook. Services begin at 9:30 am unless there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah when services begin at 10:00 am.

Tot Shabbat- The Tot Shabbat service is held once a month and is led by the Rabbi or music director of the synagogue. This service appeals to the 2- 9 year old age group. The service begins at 11:00 am and is usually held in the synagogue chapel.

Havdallah- Havdallah services are held on selected Saturday evenings, typically in conjunction with regularly scheduled activities for Saturday afternoon or evening.